31The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.H1697H4428H3927H4853H517H3256

2Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!H1248H1248H990H1248H5088

3Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.H5414H2428H802H1870H4229H4428

4It is not for kings, Lemuel—it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,H4428H3927H4428H8354H3196H335H176H7336H7941

5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.H8354H7911H2710H8138H1779H1121H6040

6Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!H5414H7941H6H3196H4751H5315

7Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.H8354H7911H7389H2142H5999

8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.H6605H6310H483H1779H1121H2475

9Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. Epilogue: The Wife of Noble CharacterH6605H6310H8199H6664H1777H6041H34

10A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.H4672H2428H802H4377H7350H6443

11Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.H3820H1167H982H2637H7998

12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.H1580H2896H7451H3117H2416

13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.H1875H6785H6593H6213H2656H3709

14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.H5503H591H935H3899H4801

15She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her women servants.H6965H3915H5414H2964H1004H2706H5291

16She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.H2161H7704H3947H6529H3709H5193H3754

17She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.H2296H4975H5797H553H2220

18She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.H2938H5504H2896H5216H3518H3915

19In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.H7971H3027H3601H3709H8551H6418

20She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.H6566H3709H6041H7971H3027H34

21When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.H3372H7950H1004H1004H3847H8144

22She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.H6213H4765H3830H8336H713

23Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.H1167H3045H8179H3427H2205H776

24She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.H6213H5466H4376H5414H2289H3669

25She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.H5797H1926H3830H7832H3117H314

26She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.H6605H6310H2451H3956H8451H2617

27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.H6822H1979H1979H1004H398H3899H6104

28Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:H1121H6965H833H1167H1984

29"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."H7227H1323H6213H2428H5927

30Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.H2580H8267H3308H1892H802H3373H3068H1984

31Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.H5414H6529H3027H4639H1984H8179